Family (2023 film)

Family is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed, written and edited by Don Palathara and co-written by Sherin Chatherine. The film premiered at the 52nd International Film Festival of Rotterdam (IFFR) on 28 January 2023. The film was also screened at 14th Bengaluru International Film Festival 2023.^[1] The film is produced by Sanita Chittilappilly and Anto Chittilappilly through their production company Newton Cinema.^[2] It features Vinay Forrt, Divya Prabha, Abhija Sivakala, Nilja K Baby and Mathew Thomas in pivotal roles.^[3][4][5][6] It was theatrically released on 22 February 2024.^[7]

Family
Directed by	Don Palathara
Written by	Don Palathara Sherin Chatherine
Produced by	Sanita Chittilappilly Anto Chittilappilly
Starring	Vinay Forrt Divya Prabha Nijla K Baby Mathew Thomas Abhija Sivakala
Cinematography	Jaleel Badusha
Edited by	Don Palathara
Music by	Basil C J
Production company	Newton Cinema
Release dates	July 2023 (2023-07) (Halicarnassus) 22 February 2024 (2024-02-22)
Running time	111 minutes
Country	India
Language	Malayalam

Plot

Sony, a Catholic man in his late twenties from rural central Kerala, comes across as a do-gooder and a well-wisher at the first glimpse. However, lurking behind his public persona is a different character. Even as some of his family members become aware of his deeds, they are silenced by the system, which mindfully and actively protects men, their delinquencies, and secrets. The family thus becomes a sturdy closet, where skeletons of the past are kept unknown and unseen by the world outside. The film tries to understand how the family system operates like the mafia when it comes to the crimes from within.

Cast

• Vinay Forrt as Sony
• Divya Prabha as Rani
• Nilja K Baby as Neethu
• Mathew Thomas as Nobi
• Abhija Sivakala as Jaya
• KK Indira as Nun
• Hridesh TB as Subin
• Jolly Chirayath^[8]
• Sajitha Madathil^[8]

Release

The film was premiered at the 52nd International Film Festival of Rotterdam (IFFR) in January 2023.^[9] Family was also screened at 14th Bengaluru International Film Festival.^[1] It has also been selected as one among the five contenders for the Young Jury Prize at the 68th edition of the prestigious Cork International Film Festival in Ireland.^{[10][11][12][13][14]}

Family was also been chosen as one of the two Malayalam films in the International Competition section for the 28th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), held in December 2023.^[15][16].Family is also among the Top-10 Indian films curated by FIPRESCI India Grand Prix 2023.

The Film was theatrically released on 22 February 2024.^[17][18]

Reception

Since its premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Family has enjoyed sold-out screenings and immediate acclaim from audiences and media worldwide. It was hailed as a riveting exposé, skillfully crafted with a thought-provoking and provocative filmmaking style by director Don Palathara.^[19]

Awards and nominations

Year	Event	Category and award	Recipient(s)	Result	Ref.
2023	Halicarnassus Film Festival,Turkey	Best Film	Family	Won	[19]
2023	Indian Film Festival of Melbourne	Best Indie Film 2023		Nominated	[19]
2023	Indian Film Festival of Melbourne	Best Director	Don Palathara		[19]
2023	Melbourne Cineverse Festival	Best Film	Family
2023	International Film Festival of Kerala	Best Film,International Competition			[20]
2023	International Film Festival Innsbruck	Best Picture			[21]
2024	Ajantha Ellora Film Festival	Best Film
2024	Indian Film Festival Bhubaneswar	Best Film
2024	Third Eye Asian Film Festival	Best Film	Family	Won
2023	Soul Place Film Festival
2024	Sevilla Indie Film Festival
2024	Stockholm Independent Film Festival				[22]
2024	FIPRESCI India Grand Prix 2023	Best Film	Family	Nominated

References

1. "ഡോൺ പാലത്തറയുടെ 'ഫാമിലി' ബെംഗളൂരു അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര ചലച്ചിത്രമേളയിൽ". Mathrubhumi. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
2. Web Desk (5 November 2022). "'ഫാമിലി'യുമായി ഡോണ്‍ പാലത്തറ; വിനയ് ഫോര്‍ട്ടും ദിവ്യ പ്രഭയും പ്രധാന താരങ്ങള്‍, ഫസ്റ്റ് ലുക്ക് പോസ്റ്റര്‍ പുറത്തിറങ്ങി". www.mediaoneonline.com (in Malayalam). Retrieved 12 September 2023.
3. "Vinay Forrt's next titled 'Family'; here's the first look poster". The Times of India. 5 November 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
4. "വിനയ് ഫോർട്ടിന്റെ 'ഫാമിലി'; സംവിധാനം ഡോൺ പാലത്തറ". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Retrieved 12 September 2023.
5. "'ഫാമിലി'യുമായി വിനയ് ഫോർട്ടും ടീമും, ഫസ്റ്റ്ലുക്ക് പുറത്ത്". Mathrubhumi. 5 November 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
6. "Family movie | ഡോൺ പാലത്തറയുടെ ചിത്രം 'ഫാമിലി'; നായകൻ വിനയ് ഫോർട്ട്". News18 Malayalam (in Malayalam). 5 November 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
7. "Exhibitors strike: Filmmakers scramble to reschedule release dates". Onmanorama. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
8. "Don Palathara's Family wins Best Film award at Halicarnassus Film Festival, Turkey". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
9. "Newton Cinema's 'Family' to have its world premiere at the 52nd International Film Festival of Rotterdam". The Week. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
10. "Don Palathara's Family to be screened at 68th Cork International Film Festival in Ireland". The Indian Express. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
11. nithya. "68-ാമത് കോർക്ക് ഇന്റർനാഷണൽ ഫിലിം ഫെസ്റ്റിവൽ: ഐറിഷ് പ്രീമിയറിനായി ഒരുങ്ങി 'ഫാമിലി'". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd (in Malayalam). Retrieved 29 September 2023.
12. Desk, 24 Web (19 September 2023). "ഡോൺ പാലത്തറയുടെ 'ഫാമിലി' അയ‍ർലന്റിലെ 68ാമത് കോ‍ർക്ക് ചലചിത്രമേള മത്സരവിഭാഗത്തിൽ". Twentyfournews.com. Retrieved 29 September 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
13. "ഐറിഷ് പ്രിമിയറിനൊരുങ്ങി 'ഫാമിലി'; കോർക്ക് ഫെസ്റ്റിവലിൽ മത്സര വിഭാഗത്തിൽ". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Retrieved 29 September 2023.
14. "അയർലൻഡിലെ കോർക്ക് ഇന്റർനാഷണൽ ഫിലിം ഫെസ്റ്റിവലിൽ ഇടം നേടി ഡോൺ പാലത്തറയുടെ 'ഫാമിലി'". Mathrubhumi. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
15. Bureau, The Hindu (15 October 2023). "Family, Thadavu chosen as Malayalam films for the International Competition section of IFFK". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 16 October 2023. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
16. Entertainment, The Cue (15 October 2023). "'IFFK2023 ഡോൺ പാലത്തറയുടെ ഫാമിലിയും ഫാസിൽ റസാക്കിന്റെ തടവും മത്സരവിഭാഗത്തിൽ' ; മലയാള ചിത്രങ്ങൾ പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു". The Cue (in Malayalam). Retrieved 16 October 2023.
17. "Family director Don Palathara: 'I don't create films that offer immediate gratification'". The Indian Express. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
18. "With 'Family', I wanted to address how society, families protects predators: Don Palathara". Onmanorama. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
19. "Vinay Forrt starrer 'Family' wins Best Film at Halicarnassus Film Festival in Turkey". English.Mathrubhumi. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
20. Praveen, S. R. (9 December 2023). "IFFK 2023: Don Palathara's 'Family' clinically uncovers the hidden dark spots in an idyllic community". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
21. "Don Palathara's Film Family Selected For 32nd International Film Festival Innsbruck". News18. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
22. "Vinay Forrt's Family wins big at Stockholm Independent Film Festival". OTTPlay. Retrieved 31 May 2024.